ALTHOUGH NOT EVERYONE complies with the voluntary no wake zones the Association has designated at various Ten Mile locations, evidence continues to accumulate that the practice is a good idea. A Penn State study found that establishing no wake zones proved to be an effective method of reducing pollution and improving water quality. Reason: no wake boat speeds stirred up less sediment, thereby enhancing aquatic vegetation growth and increasing water clarity. Other studies have demonstrated the damage that can be done to spawning beds by operating boats at high speeds in water as deep as 15 feet.

IT'S WELL-KNOWN THAT phosphorus usually is the culprit when lakes turn green from heavy algae blooms. What may not be as understood is where a lot of this phosphorus comes from (us) and whether anything can be done about it (yes). In the case of Ten Mile, likely sources of this potent nutrient are lawn fertilizers, dish washing detergents, leaky or outmoded waste water treatment systems, pet litter, tree leaves, lawn clippings, pesticides, beach bonfire ashes, septic system additives and soil erosion. Ten Milers are fortunate that since the Association adopted its long range management plan in 1994, phosphorus levels have been declining and water clarity has improved. The lesson is a simple one: limit your use of products containing phosphorus.

AS LAKE WATER TOYS grow in number, size and variety, conflicts tend to mount as well. The Wisconsin Association of Lakes, recognizing that more problems surface as pressures on lakes increase, is promoting a worthy challenge to lake users that has been dubbed "R-E-S-P-E-C-T." Here is what those letters stand for:

Respect: Respect the rights and needs of others.

Environment: Enjoy wildlife from a distance. Leave what's natural undisturbed.

Speed: Heed boating regulations. Adjust your speed to your surroundings.

Peace: Reduce noise to a minimum and reduce your wake.

Enjoyment: Have fun and enjoy these moments with your friends.

Considerate: Be aware of, and responsive to, the needs of others, including the creatures living in the waters and along the shore.

Trash: Dispose of it properly or take it home. Leave only a small footprint.

A NEW REPORT on potential climate change in the Great Lakes region, issued this summer, poses the possibility of profound changes if current warming trends continue. According to the Canadian and U.S. scientists who wrote the report, by the end of the century average temperatures from June to August could rise as much as 7 to 10 degrees, leading to lower lake levels, more severe rainstorms, a longer and drier growing season, species changes in northern forests, loss of wetlands, increased air pollution and many other damaging environmental effects unless more effort is put into reducing greenhouse gases. As you might expect, the report drew mixed responses: approval from those who believe global warming is real and skepticism from industry groups characterizing it as overly pessimistic. And so goes the debate. The report is available on the web at www.ucsusa.org/greatlakes/glregionmin.htm.

ANOTHER SUMMER and once again an almost total absence of mallard ducklings along our shore. Taking their place were several broods of red-breasted mergansers, a fast-swimming waterfowl species that gobbles up minnows and small fish, and a relative newcomer to Ten Mile waters. When we first began spending summer vacations here, mergansers were rarely sighted. Now all three species are commonplace: Hooded, American and red-breasted, the latter the trio's most numerous.

SOME REGIONAL LAKES began the season with surprisingly low clarity readings, possibly brought about by the winter's scarce snowfall and, therefore, higher nutrient concentrations in spring runoffs. Ten Mile was more fortunate. Main lake readings began in the high teens, as usual, and improved to the mid 20s well into August. It was the late Warren Goss who in 1974 got us into the seasonal clarity reading business and we have been doing it ever since. That first year the mean reading was 12.5'. In recent years we have been flirting with a 20' average, a truly significant change. While not a measure of water quality, clarity IS a good indicator. So kudos are in order for Ten Mile residents. Keep up the fine work! (And, by the way, our lake water quality is excellent.)

IT'S BEEN YEARS since we've had a reported sighting of the legendary Ten Mile Lake monster. Some possible reasons come to mind: the creature is sulking at the 208' spot, miffed over being ignored for so long; maybe someone did spot the monster but was too embarrassed to tell anyone about such a surprising experience; possibly the allotted time arrived and this exciting lake denizen "gave up its ghost", so to speak; or just maybe (perish the very thought) there never was a Ten Mile Lake monster in the first place. This is one of those "I'll believe it when I see it" things, so if anyone has, let's hear from you. 

IT APPEARS THAT we dodged the bullet on the forest tent caterpillar (FTC) plague. Little, if any, defoliation was noted and the "friendly fly" that heralds the probable end of an FTC outbreak showed up in numbers this season. The fly, slightly larger than a deer fly, has gray stripes down its back. When they land on you, they don't bite, so don't swat 'em. They are nature's FTC control.

[From the Notebook included an additional item about Septic System Experiments, which is reproduced here.]